Repeat cycle control mechanism



1953 c. F. HARRIS 2,637,431

REPEAT CYCLE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 17, 1948 40 n 1s s! i e RLE F HARRw 35 CH6 8 zzvmvrox.

a: j 57 avg/Md Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REPEAT CYCLE CONTROL MECHANISM Charles F. Harris, Chicago, 111.

Application November 17, 1948, Serial No. 60,511

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a repeat cycle control mechanism for coin operated machines. More specifically, it relates to a device which may be attached as a unit to a vending machine so as to prevent repeat cycles resulting from a continuously closed coin switch.

It is a well-known fact that most coin operated mechanisms in which a delivery cycle is started by the momentary closure of a coin operated switch are liable to cycle continuously if the coin or another object holds the switch closed or if the coin switch sticks in the closed position. The entire contents of the machine are usually dispensed unless the defect is remedied. The switch may be cleared by the vibration of the machine or by jarring it but, on the other hand, it may not. In any event, more product is dispensed than is paid for.

It is an object of the invention to prevent a subsequent delivery in the event the coin switch is held closed for any reason.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for restoring the vending machine to operative condition if the jam is cleared.

Still another object is to provide a control mechanism which can be applied to existing vending machines as a unit and with a minimum of wire changing.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a study of this specification and the drawings which are attached hereto and are made a part hereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus showing the motor, switches and clutch.

'Figure 2 is a front elevation of the device of Figure 1.

I Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus and wiring.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I represents a case in which is mounted a motor 3, having a magnetic clutch 5 which connects the motor to the reduction gearing I. The output shaft 9 of this gearing carries three cams I I, I 3 and I5.

Cams II and I3 are similar, having a single, short lobe ll, I9 while cam l5 has an elongated rest lobe 2!. As will be seen from Figure 2, the lobe ll leads the lobe I9 while lobe 2! is on the opposite side of shaft 9 from them.

Switches 23, 25 and 21 are disposed to be actuated by cams I I, I3 and I5 respectively. Switches 23 and 25 are of the normally closed type, that is, they are normally urged toward the closed condition and are opened by the lobes of their cams, while 21 is normally open, that is, it is normally urged to its open condition and is 2 closed by its cam. In the starting position of the motor 3, switch 23 is held open While switch 25 is closed. Switch 2? is, of course, open.

The coin switch 29 has an operating lever 3| extending into the coin chute 33, two fixed contacts 35 and 3'! and a movable contact 39 operable by the lever. Contacts 35 and 39 are normally closed, that is, they are normally urged or biased toward the'closed condition while contacts 31 and 3e are normally urged toward the open condition. The switch 29 may be mounted on the box or anywhere convenient to the coin input slot of the vending machine.

A coin reject mechanism of conventional form (not shown) is actuated by a solenoid or magnet ii and is interposed in a coin chute above lever 3! to reject coins when the machine is not capable of startin a new cycle to deliver the product. It is controlled by switch 3539 and a normally open switch 40 operated by cam II. Switch 40 is closed when the motor is in its normal stopped position but is biased to open when cam lobe I! has passed it. The coins are returned to the operator in the conventional manner.

A delivery solenoid BI is mounted in the usual vending machine and when it is energized starts the delivery cycle of the mechanism.

Wiring diagram The lines 43 and 45 represent the service main from which one wire 41 runs to the center pole 39 of the coin switch 29. The other wire 49 runs to one side of motor 3.

A line 5I connects the other side of the motor to one side of each of the switches 23, 25. The other side of switch 23 is connected to contact 35 by wire 53 while the other side of switch 25 is connected by wire 55 to contact 31. Contacts 35-39 are normally closed.

The switch 2? is connected to line 55 by wire 5? and by wire 59 to the delivery relay 6| in the vendor. The relay is in turn connected byline 63 to 43.

The coin reject magnet II is connected by wires 65 and G1 to wire 49 and to switch til respectively.

OPERATION Normal It will be seen that the reject magnet is energized while the switch 3539 is closed. The coin rejecting mechanism is thus normally held in coin accepting position.

When a coin is deposited the switch 31-39 is closed momentarily. This energizes the motor circuit through switch 25 which is normally closed in the starting position of the motor.

As soon as the motor starts, the switch 23 is closed and switch it is opened and, since switch 35--39 recloses as soon as the coin passes lever 3|, the motor operation is maintained through these switches.

Thereafter, the delivery switch 2i is closed to energize delivery solenoid ti, is held closed a predetermined time. and reopened.

Thereafter, switch 25 is opened and reclosed without eiTect since switch 3l -tt is open. Approximately 30 degrees later, switch 23 is opened to interrupt the motor circuit.

Abnormal Assuming that when the coin closes switch Ell-39 it sticks in the chute and holds the switch closed or that for some other reason the switch fails to reopen, the cycle is started in the usual manner through switches 25- and til-35; and the motor is held energized by this circuit until switch 25 is opened by its cam. Although switch 23 is closed as soon as the motor starts to turn, it is ineffective because switch 35-351 is held open. Thedelivery' switch 2'5 is closed and reopened during the cycle.

The coin reject magnet M is deenergized each time switch Eli-41!; or switch is opened so that no deposited coins can be held. lhe machine is therefore unable to accept coins unless the motor is stopped and in. its normal starting position.

It is often possible that jarring the machine will clear the switch in which case switch 35-t9 will be closed and, since switch is still closed, the motor will start and will again be stopped when switch 23 is opened by The machine is thus. restored to its normal condition and since magnet M is now energized, an aditional coin can be accepted.

Each time motor 3 is energized, the iron core thereof pulls clutch 5 into position to connect the motor gear train 1. Each time the motor is deenergiaed, the clutch disconnects so that the gear train will stop quickly while the armature of the motor is permitted to coast. This produces an accurate operation of the cams M, iii and and their associated switches.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arra without departing from the sp it of the invention. accordingly, applicant does not. desire to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed pri. arily for purposes of illustration; out instead, desires protection falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of. the United States is;

1. In a cycle control mechanism for a coin op" erated machine, a drive means having a starting position, a normally closed first switch and a normally open second switch, first and second control switches in series with said first and second switches respectively and connected to said drive means in parallel with each other, first and second cams operable by the drive means connected. to operate said first and second control switches respectively, said second cam being disposed so as to lead the first, said first cam being disposed to hold its switch open when the drive means is at rest in the starting position, and coin operated means to momentarily open the first switch and close the second to energize the drive means through said second control switch, said first cam serving toclose said first control switch gement of ports when the drive means starts and to open said switch to stop the drive means.

2. In a cycle control mechanism for a coin operated machine, a drive means having a starting position, a normally closed first switch and a normally open second switch, first and second control switches in series with said first and second switches respectively and connected to said drive means in parallel with each other, first and second cams operable by the drive means connected to operate said first and second control switches respectively, said second cam being die posed so as to lead the first, said first cam bein disposed to hold its switch open when the drive means is at rest in the starting position, and coin operated means to momentarily open the first switch and close the second to energize the drive means through said second control switch, said first cam serving to close said first control switch when the drive means starts, said second cam serving to open said second control switch to stop the drive means the event said second switch is held closed.

3. In a cycle control mechanism for a coin operated machine, a drive means having a starting position, a normally closed first switch and a normally open second switch, first and second control switches in series with said first and second switches respectively and connected to said drive means in parallel with each other, first and second cams operable by the drive means connected to operate said first and second control switches respectively, said second cam being disposed so as to lead the first, said first cam being disposed to hold its switch open when the drive means is at rest in the starting position, and coin operated means to momentarily open the first switch and close the second to energize the drive means through said second control switch, said first cam serving to close said first control switch when the drive means starts, said second cam serving to open said second control switch to stop the drive means in the event said second switch is held closed, said first control switch being rendered eiiective, upon subsequent closure of the first switch, to return the drive means to starting position.

4. In a cycle control mechanism for a coin operated machine, a drive means having a starting position, a normally closed first switch and a normally open second switch, first and second control switches in series with said first and second switches respectively and connected to said drive means in parallel with each other, first and second cams connected to operate said first and. second control switches respectively, said second cam being disposed so as to lead the first, said first cam being disposed to hold its switch open when the drive means is at rest in the starting position, coin operated means to momentarily open the first switch and close the second to energize the drive means through said second control switch, said first cam serving to close said first control switch when the drive means starts and to reopen it to stop the drive means to complete a cycle, and a delivery control switch operable by the drive means during its cycle.

5. In a cycle control mechanism for a coin operated machine, a drive means, a normally closed first switch and a normally open second switch, first and second control switches in series with said first and second switches respectively and connected to said drive means in parallel with each other, first and second cams connected for operation by said drive means and disposed to operate said first and second control switches respectively, said second cam being disposed so as to lead the first, said first cam being disposed to hold its switch open when the drive means is at rest, coin operated means to momentarily open the first switch and close the second to energize the drive means through said second control switch, said first cam serving to close said first control switch when the drive means starts and to reopen it to stop the drive means, and coin rejecting means rendered efiective by said first switch when it is open.

6. In a cycle control mechanism for a coin operated machine, a drive means having a starting position, a delivery control means operated by the drive means, a normally closed first coin switch and a normally open second coin switch, normally open first and normally closed second control switches connecting said first named switches respectively to the drive means, means for continually urging said first control switch to close, means operable by said drive means for holding said first control switch open when the drive means is at the starting position, coin operated means for reversing the condition of said coin switches to start the drive means and render said holding means ineffective and means operable by said drive means to open said second control switch, said holding means being thereafter moved to efiective position to stop the drive means in the starting position.

7. In a cycle control mechanism for a coin operated machine, a motor having a starting position, a delivery control means for operation by the motor, disengageable clutch means for connecting the motor to the delivery control means, a normally closed first coin switch and a normally open second coin switch, normally open first and normally closed second control switches connecting said first named switches respectively to energize the motor, means for continually urging said first control switch to close, means connected to and operable by said clutch for holding said first control switch open when the control means is in its starting position, coin operated means for reversing the condition of said coin switches to start the motor, means, responsive to the starting of the motor, to engage said clutch and start the delivery control means and to render said holding means ineffective, means operable by said motor to momentarily open said second control switch, said holding means being thereafter moved to effective position to deenergize the motor, and means responsive to deenergization of the motor to disconnect the clutch.

CHARLES F. HARRIS.

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